Saturday, October 09, 2004

An Unconscionable Outcome: Chomsky and the Hopelessness of Lesser Evilism

By Kim Petersen

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Posted 10/09 | Add a Comment

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  1. Excellent article Kim and I agree with your conclusions, though I think Noam’s ego would survive fine without your defending him. It goes without saying that he has contributed enormously to our political (re)education and there is no need to throw out the baby with the bathwater. For me though, this latest election and the “collapse” of the Left luminaries in their backing of Kerry and undermining of Nader (I think Chomsky has never been an enthusiastic Nader fan-- professional jealosy?) was the last straw. Chomsky’s claim that a Kerry presidency would be less violent than a Bush one is bizarre considering Kerry’s promise to increase troop numbers in Iraq (maybe his troops will be armed with bananas). Also worth mentioning is the fact that Chomsky still believes that Israel is the US cop on the beat in the Middle East, blatantly contradicted by the fact that US troops are fighting Izzy’s enemy, Iraq. And next Iran if Charles Krauthammer has his way--Chomsky loves to quote the NYT and Washed out fence Post, why not quote CK on this one?

    Posted by Rhino Rick from  on  10/10  at  01:56 AM

  2. I urge everyone to read this totally-on-target piece by Kim.  Nice notes by you too, Rhino.  I will look forward not to the predictable extreme negative responses to what Kim’s put on the table here, but, rather, to the “slight objections” readers might be feeling. They should be worthwhile, if there are any.  If none rear their misguided heads, then I’d like us all to get on with doing something radical.  For instance, it occurs to me that we’d all benefit by tacking up A New List of Enemies. Enemies in this war we’ve been forced into, The Petersen Batallion (for want of a better expression). Though he might be way down on The List, Chomsky could easily be an entry...if we’re out to save the counterparts in Iran, Syria and North Korea; counterparts to the victimized international souls mentioned above. Once we see how large that list is, and how many of our neighbors are on it...methinks it might be a bit easier to come up with a What To Do List.  Hugs, Richard

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  10/10  at  02:10 AM

  3. I appreciate your words Rhino and Richard. I have great respect for Professor Chomsky, and this article was meant only to call into question Chomsky’s logic for backing Kerry. It is not intended to find “A New List of Enemies.” I still believe that society’s best strategy lies with building solidarity and not with opening up rifts among ourselves.

    Posted by kim from  on  10/11  at  04:26 AM

  4. I don’t even think Chomsky is backing Kerry as much as he’s backing a safe state approach, which is eminently sane, regardless of what some say.  In terms of Rhino’s conception of Israel being the US cop on the beat, or is it the other way around, I think that its chickn or egg, and that neither state has as much power as the interests that are holding both, that go far beyond state power.

    My problem with Chomsky is his followers - Albert et al, setting him up as the most important philospoher out there, when he’s nothing more - or less - than a great political analyst, prone to failure and victory.  Don’t look back, for example, at “Rogue States” which I found on my shelf the other day, in which Chomsky talks about Chalabi as a hope for Iraq.

    This is what I was trying to say in my piece the other day - and I tink Mickey is thinking of this as well...there has to be some sense of positivity, of reality and vision to the left.  There is not.  Chomsky’s only a leader because American leftists like his writing, but he is not a theorist, not a revolutionary leader.  I think that those looking for answers should look elsewhere BUT - he is still the finest writer on the topics he writes on…

    The best way for the left to grow is not necc. a knight on a white horse, but someone who has a programmatic vision that can be applied to modern circumstances.  This is how Venezuela went from just another Latin American oligarchy to the Bolivarian revolution…

    Posted by j cummings from  on  10/11  at  08:59 AM

  5. I heard that interview of Chomsky by David Barsamian, and Barsamian seemed as surprised as any of us that Chomsky seemed to be endorsing a Democratic Party candidate for president. He asked him in an amused tone if that in fact was what Chomsky was doing. Chomsky pointed out that people should be aware that in the Bush team there are some “real fanatics”. So, sensibly, he sees the Democratic ticket as being preferable. Kerry’s misguided postions on any number of issues are lamentable, but “fanaticism” among many on the Bush team is just more dangerous.

    Posted by Jimbo from Vancouver, Canada  on  10/12  at  07:43 PM

  6. Let’s look at Barsamian AND Jimbo, for a moment. That Jimbo refers to Kerry’s positions as (only) “misguided” is a serious contribution to continued ignorance about the calculated abominations of The Dems. Zero “sensible” in my book on this count. That Barsamian refrains from calling Chomsky on the whole business in acute confrontation merely adds fuel to the fire...the blaze that is burning us all down. The arrogance of Carter and Clinton, to take just to Damnable Dem examples, manifested itself in acts every bit as fanatical as anything contemplated by the Bush Regime.  Chomsky AND Barsamian are comfy, apparently, with making fine distinctions which are worse than meaningless --see my currently posted piece on BOTOX, BOSOX AND INDIGENOUS BLOCKS IN THE BUSH LEAGUES, if you will-- to many segments of the population here...and just about EVERYONE abroad.  I hope I’m misunderstanding your take on the show, Jimbo. Ox

    Posted by Richard Oxman from  on  10/13  at  12:58 PM
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